Improvement in combined tables and secret writing-desks



3 Sheets--Sheeti c. KADE. v Combined Tables' and Secret Writing Desks. N0. 144,769. Patented N'ov.i8,l873.

3 Sheets--Sheet 2.

6. KADE. Combined Tabies and Secret Writing Desks.

No, 144,769, Patented Nov.i8,i873.

' 3Sheets--Sheet3..

C. KADE.

Combined Tables and-Secret Writing Desks. No. 144,769. Patented Nov.l8,l873.

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UNITED STATES PATENT ()rrron.

CHARLES KADE, OF LEXINGTON, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN COMBINED TABLES AND SECRET WRlTING-DESKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 144,769, dated November 18, 1873 application filed May 21, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES KADE, of Lexington, in the county of La Fayette and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Table and SecretVVriting-Desk; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and arrangement of a combined table and secret writing-desk, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to the annexed drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a perspective view, showing the table and desk closed. Fig. 2 is a similar View, showing it partially open as a large table. Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing the desk in position, also showing the catch for holding the desk concealed, and the mechanism for throwing it up. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan View of a part of the frame, and Figs. 6 and 7 are detached views of the hinge.

A represents a box-frame of any suitable dimensions, supported at its rear side by two legs, B B, and provided at its front side with two three-jointed wooden hinges, f f, which connect with a front piece, a, having a leg, B, at each end. The piece to forms a blind or false drawer, and extends, when the' frame is closed, from the top downward about half the depth of the box-frame A. The remaining part of the front of this box-frame is filled by a small box, I), made stationary with the main frame, and forming a second blind or false drawer. The top of the box-frame A is made in two parts, 0 and G, as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, the part 0 being a narrow strip secured along the front edge of the frame, and having the leaf D hinged to it by means of hinges e e.

As thus constructed, the leaf D may be folded on the top 0 O, forming a stand or small table, as shown in Fig. 1; or the front may be drawnout and the leaf D turned over, forming a large table, as shown in Fig. 2.

The three-jointed hinges f f are made of wood, substantially in the manner shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, forming strong braces, so that when the table is opened it vwill be perfectly steady. When thus opened, the false drawer 12 forms a narrow box for the reception of any articles that it may be desired to keep therein; and when closed, the front of this false drawer b is on a line with the false drawer a, presenting a neat front to the table. The part 0 of the top has a desk, E, formed on its under side, said desk consisting of any suitable arrangement or combination of pigeonholes, drawers, places for books, paper, writing materials, &c., and, as a whole, of such size as to fit within the box-frame A, together with the mechanism for operating said desk. In

the bottom of the frame A are arranged four springs, m an, coiled around suitable shafts,

and the center of each spring extending up r ward and carrying a roller, 19, upon or by v This desk or which the desk E is supported. secretary is guided by means of pins 00 ac, projecting from the rear of the desk, and'which pins move in vertical grooves 'n n in the back of the box-frame A. These pins and grooves also stop the desk when thrown up by the springs. On each end of the desk E is attached a metal bar, c, on which a spring-catch, k, slides; and at the upper end of said metal bar is a slot or notch, l, to receive said catch when the desk is pressed down into the frame A, and thus hold the desk in the same. The catches 70 k are arranged one in each end piece of the frame A, and they are each provided with a knob, g, which projects through an aperture in the end piece of the frame. The knob g is hid by means of a raised panel, 8, which may be arranged to turn on a pivot, slide to one side, or otherwise be moved to disclose the knob.

By pressingboth knobs g g inward, the catches 70 k are drawn out of the slots or notches l l, and the springs m m throw the desk up. After the desk is thrown up by the springs m m, a small button or catch, h, is turned to hold the desk firmly.

d is a lock arranged in one end of the frame A, to lock the desk when pressed down, and held by the catches.

The piece of furniture thus constructed answers three purposes--a small table or stand, a large table, and secret wflting-desk. It is simple in construction, useful, and may be made plain or ornamented, as desired.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The springs m m, provided with rollers 19 p and arranged in the frame A, for throwing the desk E upward, substantially as herein set forth.

2. The combined secret writing-desk and table described, consisting of the frame A, legs Witnesses:

O. G. LUDWIGs, G. W. BRUMM. 

